Lea Michele stepped out at the Teen Choice Awards Sunday night, making her first appearance since the July 13 death of her "Glee" co-star and boyfriend Cory Monteith.
Donning a pink dress and matching shoes, along with a necklace that
read "Cory," Michele tearfully accepted the choice TV actress in a
comedy award for her role as Rachel Berry on "Glee."
Michele
got emotional speaking the first words of her acceptance speech, saying
through tears, "Thank you guys. I just wanted to be here today to
personally thank all of you and tell everyone out here how much all of
your love and support as meant to me over these past few weeks."
"Not that I had any doubt before, but we certainly do have the
greatest fans in the world. I want to dedicate this award to Cory,"
Michele, 26, told the crowd at the Gibson Amphitheatre in Los Angeles.
"For all of you out there who loved Cory as much as I did -- I promise
you we'll get through this together. He was very special to me and also
to the world, and we were very lucky to witness his incredible talent
his handsome smile and his beautiful, beautiful heart. So whether you
knew him personally or as Finn, he reached out and became a part of all
of our hearts. So thank you guys so much."
The TV comedy
musical also won choice TV comedy, which saw many of the "Glee"
castmembers onstage to accept the honor, which also turned into a
tribute to Monteith. Amber Riley, 27, said, "Although we lost someone
that we really love and that you guys love too we are very fortunate to
come back to a show where we feel the love of family and Cory was like a
brother to us."
"Glee" actress Jenna Ushkowitz, 27, gave
a nod to the fans, saying, "We know that Cory would want to dedicate
this award to you guys."
